More than 700 firefighters work to contain wildfires in and near the Boundary Waters

More than 700 firefighters from across the country are working to contain wildfires burning in and near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Storms Monday brought rain to the fire zone, but also lightning and gusty winds. Crews are working to assess and protect structures near two large fires northwest of Ely and are preparing the Echo Trail as a control line. Forest Service officials say crews quickly responded to three new lightning-caused fires reported Sunday.A U.S. District judge has dismissed the Trump administration’s lawsuits against state and local governments over what the Justice Department describes as “sanctuary city policies.” The Trump administration argued policies prohibiting local authorities from enforcing federal immigration law are unconstitutional. Chief Judge Eric Tostrud dismissed claims against the state, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt and Attorney General Keith Ellison.The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is seeking public feedback on the social and economic impacts of large-scale dairies in the state. That follows the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s decision not to require an environmental impact statement for a proposed dairy expansion near Morris. The expansion would make it the state’s largest dairy. The Department of Agriculture will host two online public meetings Tuesday, July 28, and will accept online comments through Oct. 1.A St. Paul iron foundry is due in court Tuesday as state regulators try to revoke its permit over pollution concerns. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says Northern Iron removed some pollution control equipment in 2023, violating its permit. The agency says that could have led to more pollution in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood. Foundry leaders say a shutdown is unnecessary and that the foundry is not violating its permit.

The air quality index from wildfire smoke has reached hazardous levels in Minnesota, producing dangerous impacts to human health. Wildfire smoke contains microscopic fine particles known as PM 2.5. These tiny droplets are small enough to wiggle into lungs and enter the bloodstream. Studies have linked particulate matter in wildfire smoke to a greater risk of strokes, heart disease, respiratory issues, lung cancer and other health conditions in humans.Ely leaders are asking Minnesotans to support local businesses as wildfires and hazardous smoke disrupt the city’s busiest tourism season. Permits for entry into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area are canceled through Sunday as fires in the area continue to grow. The U.S. Forest Service told outfitters' permit holders will automatically get refunds.

The wildfires burning in the northern regions of the state are incredibly destructive, but experts say they're a natural and important part of Minnesota's ecosystem. They say the focus shouldn't be on eliminating wildfires but instead on preventing them from turning catastrophic.And air quality readings are breaking state record after state record, due to the wildfire smoke. Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

The air quality index from wildfire smoke has reached hazardous levels in Minnesota, producing dangerous impacts to human health. Wildfire smoke contains microscopic fine particles known as PM 2.5. These tiny droplets are small enough to wiggle into lungs and enter the bloodstream. Studies have linked particulate matter in wildfire smoke to a greater risk of strokes, heart disease, respiratory issues, lung cancer and other health conditions in humans.Ely leaders are asking Minnesotans to support local businesses as wildfires and hazardous smoke disrupt the city’s busiest tourism season. Permits for entry into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area are canceled through Sunday as fires in the area continue to grow. The U.S. Forest Service told outfitters' permit holders will automatically get refunds.

Permits for entry into the Boundary Waters are canceled through Sunday as fires in the area continue to grow. The U.S. Forest Service told outfitters permit holders will automatically get refunds.If conditions continue to worsen, Tribal nations in northern Minnesota are preparing for evacuation.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Elena See. Music by Gary Meister.

Two YMCA summer camps are closing and sending campers home because of wildfires raging in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness area. The YMCA’s Camp Widjiwagan and Camp du Nord, near Ely, are evacuating campers according to the camp’s Facebook post on Wednesday, even though neither site has reached “Go” status in the Ready, Set, Go wildfire evacuation protocols.The Forest Service has closed the BWCA through at least Saturday with 17 wildfires burning in the region. Small businesses that help drive the tourism economy around the Boundary Waters are beginning to feel the strain from the canoe area's closure.Forest Service officials say they are monitoring conditions daily to determine when the BWCA can be reopened. There are about 500 firefighters battling the fires, which are expected to burn for weeks.State officials will keep new Medicaid provider enrollment paused in a dozen high-risk service programs for at least another six months.

State and federal officials say the wildfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area will likely continue to burn for weeks if not months.And smoke from the fires will continue to create poor air quality for the state.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

Officials with the Superior National Forest say they’re aiming to keep the full closure of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area as short as possible, but they say some of the wildfires burning in the wilderness are now so large that they may not be fully extinguished until there’s snow.As wildfires continue, smoke is creating problems far away from the fires as public health officials issue air quality health alerts across much of Minnesota. Four Twin Cities people are charged with evading $1.1 million in Minnesota income taxes. The defendants allegedly received millions of dollars from taxpayer-funded childcare and food programs. A Minneapolis City Council committee passed a resolution Tuesday supporting concession workers at Target Field.

Crews continue to battle wildfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.The end of the Gunflint Trail was moved from “Ready” to “Set” evacuation status today. The next step — if the fire continues to spread — would be a “Go” evacuation order.Those stories and more in today’s evening update from MPR News. Hosted by Emily Reese. Music by Gary Meister.

As heat waves are hitting the Upper Midwest for the next few days, Xcel Energy says its crews and operation teams are prepared. Xcel says they have more crews on standby and the company also pushed people to sign up for alerts and report outages.The Minneapolis City Council is set to vote this week on whether to approve a reconstruction project on Lyndale Avenue South. Project officials with Hennepin County say the street is due for improvements. But some business owners are seeking a delay. They say they’re worried about losing customers as some businesses on nearby Hennepin Avenue continue to struggle after recent road work there.The Minnesota Department of Commerce has advice for homeowners affected by the recent rash of weather events around the state. The agency recommends homeowners document all damages and should not repair anything until talking to their insurance provider first.Enrollment in the state's MNsure health insurance plans plunged 12 percent already this year in the wake of rising health insurance costs.